Behavior, Attendance, and Belonging: Strategies for Neurodivergent Students

About the Presenters

Duncan Scherer is a K–12 education leader and currently serves as Assistant Dean of Teaching Exceptional Learners at Relay Graduate School of Education, where he leads the preparation of Pre-K–12 teachers throughout the United States. He is also Superintendent-in-Residence at Social Cipher. Duncan began his career as a special education teacher before launching a middle school academic program specifically designed for students with exceptional learning needs. The program emphasized student advocacy, the explicit teaching of social and emotional skills, and identity affirmation. His commitment to creating more inclusive learning environments ultimately led him into school and systems leadership. Prior to joining Relay, Duncan served as Chief Schools Officer at Democracy Prep Public Schools, based in New York, where he oversaw school leadership across 18 schools in three states.

Lucas Harrington, Psy.D., is an accomplished clinical psychologist, published author, and autism specialist. His academic background, along with his personal experience as an autistic person with ADHD, allows him to support autistic youth and their families from a place of deep understanding. His clinical areas of expertise include disruptive behavior, emotional regulation, and school avoidance, and he’s deeply interested in how the structure of games can support motivation and regulation. Dr. Harrington leverages his expertise to enhance Social Cipher’s SEL curriculum and ensure their resources are engaging, effective, and neurodiversity affirming.

About the Moderator

Vanessa Castañeda Gill is the Co-founder and CEO of Social Cipher, which uses story-driven video games and curricula to build belonging, self-regulation skills, and inclusion for neurodivergent youth. Drawing on her own journey as an autistic/ADHD individual, Vanessa leads a neurodiverse team of developers and educators creating an evidence-based platform that supports students while equipping their teachers and counselors with practical tools. She and her team have partnered with over 200 schools and therapy centers across eight countries, earning recognition as Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees, MIT Solvers, and LEGO Foundation Partners.

Social Cipher helps middle and high schools improve sense of belonging, self-regulation skills, and inclusion for neurodivergent students—especially those who are autistic or have ADHD. Our social-emotional learning video games, curricula, and progress tools give educators insights into social challenges and strengths while helping students practice social interactions in a safe, engaging, and accessible way. Built by a majority neurodivergent team, our games allow students to interact with neurodiverse characters that truly represent them. The curriculum consists of engaging lesson plans and activities based on CASEL and Universal Design for Learning principles and helps educators seamlessly generalize learnings from gameplay into students’ lives. Social Cipher is trusted by more than 200 schools and therapy centers in 8 countries and has earned recognition from MIT Solve, Games for Change, and most recently, The LEGO Foundation Play for All Long Term Partners.